Description

Anyone who couldn't relate to the agitated sounds of late-'90s/early-'00s alt-rock but still wanted to hear something new found solace in such "mature" alternative acts as Matchbox 20. Taking the anthemic rock and balladry of Pearl Jam and smoothing out the edges, the band (led by pretty boy Rob Thomas) hit paydirt right off the bat with their monster-selling debut album, 1996's YOURSELF OR SOMEONE LIKE YOU. Thomas's guest vocal on the Santana smash "Smooth" didn't hurt Matchbox 20's profile either.

Biography

This US rock band comprises Rob Thomas (b. 14 February 1971, Germany; vocals), Kyle Cook (b. 29 August 1975, Indiana, USA; guitar), Adam Gaynor (b. 26 November 1964; guitar), Brian Yale (b. 24 October 1968, USA; bass), and Paul Doucette (b. 22 August 1972, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; drums). Thomas, Doucette and Yale formed Tabitha's Secret in 1995, but quickly left that band to join forces with Cook and Gaynor. The new quintet's extensive touring schedule, aided by several demo tapes recorded for producer Matt Serletic, brought them to the attention of Lava, a subsidiary of Atlantic Records. The band's debut was given a boost when, on the day it was released, Lava was brought under the major label's auspices. Given greater promotion and access to Atlantic's marketing departments, Yourself Or Someone Like You quickly gained a tenacious foothold in the Billboard Hot 200, eventually peaking at number 5 and achieving multi-platinum status. The promotional single, "Long Day", also proved a minor hit on America's modern rock radio formats. The follow-up, "Push", was an even bigger radio hit, although Thomas was forced to hastily explain the rationale behind lyrics relating to emotional and physical abuse. The band continued to tour heavily on the US club circuit, helping push the album to its exalted position on the Hot 200. Thomas enjoyed even greater success as the featured vocalist on Santana's US chart-topper "Smooth", the surprise hit single of 1999. Undergoing a slight name change (from Matchbox 20 to Matchbox Twenty), the band released their sophomore collection Mad Season the following May. "Bent", a shining example of the band's inoffensive mature rock sound, climbed to the top of the Hot 100 two months later. The band's third album More Than You Think You Are, although eagerly awaited by the fans, delivered less than anticipated.
DISCOGRAPHY: Yourself Or Someone Like You (Lava/Atlantic 1996)***, Mad Season (Lava/Atlantic 2000)***, More Than You Think You Are (Lava/Atlantic 2002)**.
VIDEOGRAPHY: VH1 Storytellers: Matchbox Twenty (Image Entertainment 2002), Show: A Night In The Life Of Matchbox Twenty (Pinnacle 2004).

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